While root canal treatment is often associated with adults, it can also be used for children. You need to have good knowledge of the procedure involved and how the treatment goes. Parents should try to have a thorough understanding of the procedure and what to expect during the procedure.
In Grand Rapids, you can find concerns growing day by day about the oral health of children. Children are more susceptible to tooth damage and chips than adults. Children love to eat candies and other junk food items. Furthermore, they engage in different types of sports and play outside frequently.
All of these things somewhere increase the chances of them getting injured and making their oral health worse. The pulp that is present inside a person’s tooth has a network of nerves and vessels, which are needed and essential for proper tooth development.
However, once a particular tooth is fully grown, then the pulp is not really needed. It also gets nourishment from the surrounding tissues. Reach out to a dentist to get root canal treatment in Grand Rapids.
Why is root canal treatment needed for children?
There can be various reasons why children need root canal treatment; let us look at some of those reasons:
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Having decaying tooth:
If the cavity makes it to the inside of the pulp, the infection can be widespread and cause a lot of pain. Thus, root canals are a necessity in such situations. Children can have severely decayed teeth, too, like adults.
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Dental trauma:
When you get injured during a sport, you are likely to get your tooth damaged if your face hits the ground. The pulp can get damaged and is going to require immediate dental attention from your end.
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Infection:
Abscesses can also take place if the infection reaches the pulp. It can result in pain and swelling in the area, too. By using root canal treatment, you can preserve the damaged tooth.
What is the procedure like?
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Preparing tooth and diagnosis:
There is a dental examination that is conducted prior to the treatment. X-rays are used to tell how much damage has been done. If the root canal is really required in anybody’s case, then the area is made numb using local anesthesia. This is to ensure the comfort of the child.
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Removing the pulp:
There is a small hole in the tooth, which helps access the pulp chamber. The pulp that got infected is carefully removed from here. Various tools are used to do so.
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Cleaning the area:
The dentist, after taking out the pulp, will make the area empty and carefully clean it. The area is disinfected, and bacteria are removed from that place. Such a thing is done to prevent any infection.
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Restoration:
Once the root canal is done, a dental crown might be needed to protect the area. Crown makes it easier for people to have their food, and their appearance does not look odd either. 
How does a root canal benefit children?
There are various benefits of root canal treatment that are provided to children:
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The tooth is preserved:
Natural teeth need to be preserved in order to have proper dental structure and better alignment. If you lose a tooth, it can create a gap between teeth.
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Infection is not widespread:
When infection is treated from where it is originating, it is unlikely that it will spread to other areas. Root canal lets you do that.
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Functionality is also maintained:
There is no such compromise in the functionality of teeth. It lets a person smile and speak comfortably, and it contributes to their overall health.
Ensure optimal oral health for your children!
Reaching out to a dentist on time can save your child’s tooth from being extracted. When you see any early signs of cavities or infections in a child’s teeth, take them for a dental checkup right away.
